Core Viewpoint - Aristocrat Leisure Limited and Light & Wonder have reached a settlement regarding litigation over intellectual property claims related to game development, specifically concerning the Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games [1][5]. Summary by Sections Settlement Details - The settlement includes Light & Wonder compensating Aristocrat USD $127.5 million (approximately AUD $190 million) for claims of misappropriation and infringement of intellectual property [5]. - Light & Wonder acknowledges the use of certain Aristocrat math information in the development of the contested games and has agreed to cease their commercialization globally [5]. - Both companies have agreed to confidential procedures for addressing any future issues related to the use of Aristocrat's math in existing and developing games [5]. Company Statements - Aristocrat's CEO emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property for the company's ongoing success and welcomed the settlement as a positive outcome [2]. - Light & Wonder's CEO stated the company is committed to respecting competitors' intellectual property rights and has implemented measures to prevent similar issues in the future [3]. Industry Context - Both companies recognize the significant investment and innovation involved in game design and development, highlighting the need for protection of proprietary assets to ensure fair competition in the gaming industry [5].

Core Insights - NWPX Infrastructure has announced the first commercial use of its patent-pending Permalok Radial Bending Joint (RBJ) technology in a significant water pipeline project, enhancing trenchless installation capabilities [1][5] Technology Overview - The RBJ technology allows for the installation of steel casing pipe along curved paths in microtunneling applications, improving maneuverability in congested areas and adapting to site-specific conditions [2] - Benefits of the RBJ include a smaller jobsite footprint, fewer shafts required, and more precise tunneling execution over longer distances [2] Project Details - NWPX is supplying 5,764 linear feet of Permalok steel casing pipe for the South Hillsborough Pipeline project, which will enable the delivery of an additional 65 million gallons of water per day [3] - The project is managed by Tampa Bay Water and involves 18 underground crossings, with Garney as the construction manager and Huxted Trenchless as the microtunneling contractor [3] Impact on Construction - The RBJ's curved segments allow for the installation of microtunneling shafts within designated bore path alignments, eliminating the need for additional shafts that would be necessary for straight segment installations [4] - This innovation is expected to reduce overall project costs significantly [5] Company Background - NWPX Infrastructure, founded in 1966, is a leading manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products and the largest producer of engineered water transmission systems in North America [6] - The company operates 13 manufacturing facilities across North America and is committed to quality and innovation in meeting growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs [6]

Core Insights - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. is initiating a $15 million exploration program in 2026 to further investigate the high-grade Pike Zone at the West McArthur Joint Venture project in the Athabasca Basin [1][11] - The program will be co-funded by Cameco Corporation and CanAlaska, with a focus on expanding the known mineralization footprint and exploring additional zones of uranium mineralization [1][11] Exploration Program Details - The 2026 exploration program will utilize three drill rigs to conduct step-out drilling from the Pike Zone, targeting areas to the southwest and northeast along the C10S trend [4][10] - The 2025 exploration program successfully expanded the high-grade footprint of the Pike Zone, with significant drill results including 8.6 meters at 34.59% U3O8 and 14.8 meters at 14.71% U3O8 [2][11] - The mineralized footprint of the Pike Zone has been traced over 500 meters, with a 140-meter-long high-grade pod identified [2] Target Areas and Potential - The C10S trend remains largely untested, with approximately 9 kilometers of untested target corridor to the southwest and 6 kilometers to the northeast, indicating significant potential for additional high-grade uranium discoveries [5][6][7] - A ground-based electromagnetic survey will be conducted to investigate the extension of the Epp Lake conductor onto the West McArthur Project, utilizing a modern survey design that previously led to the discovery of the Pike Zone [8] Company Overview - CanAlaska Uranium is a prominent explorer of uranium in the Athabasca Basin, holding approximately 500,000 hectares of uranium properties with a focus on high-grade uranium expansion [12] - The company is fully financed for the upcoming 2026 drill season and aims to advance uranium deposit discovery and delineation in a secure jurisdiction [12]

Core Viewpoint - Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation and Scientific Games have formed a joint venture, SP Loterias SPE S.A. (SPL), to operate a new lottery in São Paulo, Brazil, under a 15-year concession agreement with the state government [1][2]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The 15-year agreement grants SPL an exclusive state license for lottery operations in São Paulo, covering draw-based, instant, and eInstant games through both retail and digital channels [2]. - The lottery aims to entertain players and generate funding for healthcare investments across São Paulo [2]. Group 2: Company Insights - Brightstar has over 40 years of experience in operating large lotteries and aims to leverage this expertise to provide advanced technology and engaging games to the 44 million residents of São Paulo [3]. - Scientific Games will contribute its secure systems technology and high-performance lottery games to support the new state lottery, focusing on funding healthcare initiatives [3]. Group 3: Company Background - Brightstar Lottery PLC is recognized as a global leader in lottery operations, providing secure technology and comprehensive solutions to meet customer needs [4]. - Scientific Games is a pioneer in retail and digital products, technology, and analytics, driving profits for government-sponsored lottery and sports betting programs since 1973 [5].

Core Insights - The Joint Corp. has appointed Ron Stilwell as Senior Vice President of Operations and Patient Experience, effective immediately, to enhance operational efficiency and patient satisfaction [1][3] Company Overview - The Joint Corp. is the largest franchisor of chiropractic care in the U.S., operating through The Joint Chiropractic network, with over 950 locations and more than 14 million patient visits annually [6][7] - The company aims to provide convenient and affordable chiropractic care while eliminating the need for insurance [6] Leadership Background - Ron Stilwell brings over 30 years of experience in franchise operations, having previously served as President and Chief Development Officer at FullSpeed Automotive and held leadership roles at Marco's Pizza and Kahala Brands [2][3] - His expertise includes operational excellence, P&L management, and customer satisfaction, which are expected to contribute to The Joint's growth and profitability [2][3] Strategic Goals - The company aims to enhance patient experience, improve franchisee relations, and increase new patient acquisition under Stilwell's leadership [3] - The focus is on delivering improved outcomes to grow topline sales and enhance profitability for both franchisees and the company [3]

Core Points - Corewell Health and Quest Diagnostics have completed a joint venture to enhance laboratory services in Michigan, named Diagnostic Lab of Michigan, LLC, with Quest holding 51% and Corewell Health 49% ownership [1][2] - The joint venture aims to provide innovative, quality, and affordable laboratory services, with existing laboratories continuing to serve until a new 100,000-square-foot facility opens in early 2027 [2] - Quest's Collaborative Lab Solutions (Co-Lab) services are now implemented across all 21 Corewell Health hospitals, focusing on supply chain, lab management, patient blood and anemia management, and lab analytics [3] Company Overview - Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system with over 65,000 employees, including more than 12,000 physicians and 15,500 nurses, serving 1.3 million members through its health plan [4] - Quest Diagnostics provides diagnostic insights from laboratory testing, serving one in three adult Americans and half of U.S. physicians and hospitals, with over 55,000 employees [5]

Group 1 - The company, Irving Resources Inc., has provided an update on assay results from drill hole 25SY-002A, completion of grid soil line sampling programs across the Yamagano project, and proposed drilling activities for 2026 [1] - Drill hole 25SY-002A was completed at Yamagano East, reaching a depth of 951.8 meters with an azimuth of 357° and an inclination of 66° [1]

Core Insights - 2025 has been a transformative year for Defense Metals Corp, focusing on advancing the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project and strengthening its leadership and financial position in response to increasing global demand for secure rare earth supply [2][8] Leadership and Governance - The company enhanced its leadership and governance framework, with Mark Tory formally becoming President and CEO, and further strengthening the Board and senior management team to support the next phase of development [3] Project Development - A major milestone was the completion of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Wicheeda Project, confirming it as the only undeveloped rare earth project in North America and Europe with proven mineral reserves, highlighting its strategic importance [4] - Preparatory work has commenced to advance toward a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), targeted to begin in early 2026 [4] Financial Position - Defense Metals completed multiple private placement financings, including an oversubscribed C$16.2 million financing, which strengthened the balance sheet and provided funding for metallurgical optimization and engineering studies [5] - Insider participation in these financings was significant, with directors and senior officers investing alongside institutional shareholders, reflecting strong confidence in the company's strategy [6] Stakeholder Engagement - The company advanced engagement with Indigenous partners and government stakeholders, receiving ongoing support from the McLeod Lake Indian Band and constructive dialogue with federal and provincial authorities [7] - A Letter of Interest from Export Development Canada (EDC) regarding potential project financing of up to US$250 million was received, subject to customary conditions [7] Future Outlook - Looking ahead to 2026, Defense Metals is well positioned to advance the Wicheeda Project, pursue strategic partnerships and offtake opportunities, and continue disciplined capital management [8]

Core Insights - TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have established agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX to create a new U.S. joint venture, ensuring the app's continued operation in the United States [1] - The transaction is expected to close on January 22, as stated by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew [2] Joint Venture Structure - The U.S. joint venture will be majority owned by American investors, governed by a seven-member board of directors, and will include provisions to protect American data and national security [3] - A consortium of new investors will hold 50% of the joint venture, with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each holding 15%, while existing ByteDance affiliates will hold 30.1%, and ByteDance will retain 19.9% [4] Data Protection and Operations - The joint venture will manage data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance, with U.S. user data stored in the U.S. by Oracle [5] - TikTok Global's U.S. entities will oversee global product interoperability, eCommerce, advertising, marketing, and other commercial activities [5] User Experience and Legislative Context - The joint venture aims to ensure that over 170 million Americans can continue using the platform without changes to their experience, while advertisers can still reach global audiences [6] - A law signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024 mandated that TikTok would be banned unless ByteDance divested its stake within a year [6] - The law faced legal challenges and delays, particularly after the election of Trump, as various potential buyers sought to finalize a deal [7] - Trump's executive order in September deemed the joint venture framework a "qualified divestiture" that would address national security concerns [8]

Core Insights - LaSalle Investment Management has closed a $230 million expansion of its joint venture with UDR, Inc., increasing the total size of the joint venture to approximately $850 million [1][4] Group 1: Joint Venture Expansion - The expansion adds four apartment communities totaling 974 homes to the joint venture's portfolio, which now comprises 2,564 homes [2] - The newly contributed properties are located in Portland, Orlando, and Richmond, with an average vintage of 1985, broadening the venture's geographic reach [2] Group 2: Management Statements - LaSalle's Global Portfolio Manager, Stuart Sziklas, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration and highlighted UDR's value through its high-quality operating platform and commitment to innovation [3] - UDR's Chairman, CEO, and President, Tom Toomey, noted that the new apartment communities enhance geographic diversification and provide current returns to LaSalle [4] Group 3: Company Background - LaSalle Investment Management manages $88.5 billion in assets globally as of Q2 2025, serving a diverse client base including pension funds, insurance companies, and private individuals [5] - UDR, Inc. owns or has an ownership position in 60,535 apartment homes, including 300 under development, and has a history of delivering long-term value to shareholders [7]